Vet staff took their own lives with 'easily accessible' animal euthanasia drugs

Two young South Australian women who worked at vet clinics were able to take their own lives with easily accessible drugs used to put down animals, the coroner’s court has heard.

In separate tragedies, 30-year-old vet Amy Patterson was found dead in her Colonel Light Gardens practice while veterinary student Erin Murray, 25, was doing work experience at Brighton and died at home.

The barbiturate used by vets to euthanase animals kills in just 30 seconds. The womens’ deaths have prompted calls for much tighter controls.

Amy Patterson, 30, died after taking a drug used to put down animals. Source: 7 News

Erin Murray, 25, also used the drug to end her life. Source: 7 News

“Both young women had ready accessibility to this drug where the drug is stored in an unlocked cupboard,” counsel assisting the coroner, Kathryn Waite, said.

The court heard the barbiturate doesn’t have to be kept under lock and key but“these requirements areinadequate and should be changed,” Ms Waite added.